L.A. Avengers sign Damen Wheeler to contract extension
June 27, 2005 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Damen Wheeler, one of the top defensive specialists in the Arena Football League, has signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
Wheeler (5-foot-9, 180 pounds), who was already under contract for the upcoming 2006, agreed to the club's offer to extend his deal through the 2007 season. Terms were not disclosed.
"We are extremely excited to get Damen Wheeler locked down for the future," said Hodgkiss, who guided the Avengers to their first Western Division championship and fourth consecutive playoff appearance last season. "In our opinion, he is one of the top defensive specialists in the league. Damen is a 'difference maker' and our quarterback back there on defense."
Last season, Wheeler finished with 54.5 tackles (47 solos), four interceptions and a team-high 11 pass breakups. He returned one of his four interceptions for a 34-yard touchdown to spark a crucial 52-49 victory over the Chicago Rush on April 23.
In his three AFL seasons, Wheeler has played in 35 games for the Avengers, intercepting a total of 13 passes. He also has been credited with 33 pass breakups and 144 tackles.
Wheeler signed a three-year contract extension on Feb. 2, 2004, following a sensational 2003 season that saw him earn AFL "All-Rookie" honors. He had five interceptions, 15 pass breakups and 62 tackles (two for losses) in 15 games for the 2003 Avengers.
In 2004, Wheeler played in only eight games, while battling a series of nagging injuries. However, he did finish tied for the team lead in interceptions with four and returned one of them for a 38-yard touchdown. Wheeler also came up with 27.5 tackles, seven pass breakups and a forced fumble in 2004.
Wheeler was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL Draft, but was among the final cuts prior to the regular season. He played for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2001, and was used extensively as a nickel back and on special teams. Wheeler recorded a total of 12 tackles (11 unassisted) with the Jaguars.
In the spring of 2001, he started 10 games for the New York/New Jersey Hitmen of the XFL, recording 42 tackles and three interceptions, and made the "All-XFL" first team.
A four-year letterman (1996-99) at the University of Colorado (Boulder, Colo.), Wheeler played in 40 games for the Buffaloes, starting in 31 of them. In his collegiate career, he compiled 137 tackles, eight interceptions, three forced fumbles and two quarterback sacks. Wheeler earned All-Big 12 Conference honors three times and also holds the Buffalo career record for passes broken up with 39.
Born on Sept. 3, 1977, Wheeler attended Valley High School (Sacramento, Calif.), where he played tailback and set school records with 193 carries for 2,284 yards and 33 touchdowns as a senior in 1995. He earned USA Today honorable mention "All-USA" honors and also lettered in basketball and track & field. Wheeler played in the same backfield as fellow Avenger defensive specialist Antuan Simmons, who was the Vikings' star quarterback.
The Western Division champion Avengers went 10-6 this past season and participated in the ArenaBowl Playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. Los Angeles led the AFL in offensive scoring percentage (74.4 percent) and was second in defensive scoring percentage (63.6 percent). The Avengers averaged 12,165 fans at STAPLES Center for eight regular-season home games during the 2005 season.
Season ticket packages for the upcoming 2006 campaign are on sale now. Please call 1-888-AVENGERS for more information or visit the team's official Website at www.laavengers.com.
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